Kearsney wins two out of three sports
Kearsney suceeded in cricket and canoeing, but failed to bring their game in basketball at the weekend.
KEARSNEY College won its cricket but lost the basketball match against Maritzburg College at the weekend.
Kearsney 1st XI lost the toss and batted on a track that promised to be lively to start after much rain at Botha’s Hill in the week. Keegan Foss (72) and Ryan Wallace (79) batted well to contribute significantly to Kearsney’s 239/8. Zuma (3/55) bowled with gas and Mahmood (2/37) was frugal.
Maritzburg College started positively and put Wallace under pressure, but Ross Koekemoer’s brilliant 1/19 in 10 overs put the brakes on the Martizburg’s effort. Zanone (48) and Walsh (66) almost got the Martizburg ship home, but inspired fielding from the Kearsney side saw both run out.
With Martizburg needing a four off the last ball, Wallace bowled a dot ball and Martizburg fell three runs short of the target. This was an excellent match played in the true spirit of the game, showcasing the talents of two great cricketing schools.
The day proved to be one of Kearsney’s most successful against Maritzburg College, with all the A sides recording good victories – an excellent achievement against a traditionally strong cricketing school. The final score Kearsney 1st X1: 239/8 (Wallace 79, Foss 72), Martizburg College 1st X1: 236/6.
In basketball, Kearsney lost to Maritzburg College at home. The game started out well with the hosts drawing first blood, but Martizburg fought back and with some quick transition baskets and accurate shooting managed to be up by five points at the end of the quarter.
Martizburg stepped up a gear in the second quarter and while Kearsney took open shots they were not able to put them in the basket. While on the other end of the floor, Martizburg could not miss. The quarter ended with Martizburg up by 23 points.
The Kearsney team continued fighting hard but could not claw their way back and the third quarter was drawn with both teams scoring 14 points.
Kearsney were fouled out early in the fourth quarter, and with that any hope of mounting a comeback was shattered. Martizburg again accelerated their scoring while Kearsney failed to make crucial baskets, eventually losing the game 45-84. In the end the better team on the day won and the Martizburg team has set the bar as the team to beat in the province.
In canoeing news, Kearsney’s team participated in the final inter-schools event at Camp’s Drift; and for the first time in the school’s canoeing history podiumed in all three age groups, to finish third overall for the 2013 season.
The U14 team, comprising Robert McConnell, Lee Sandy, Matthew Pitcher and Dylan Smith, won the U14 section ahead of Michaelhouse and College. The U16A team, which was made up of U15 paddlers Nicholas Hudson, Gavin Keeley, Timothy Marsh and Stuart McCleave, finished third in the U16 section. Kearsney’s U18 team of Rory McNeill, Joss Cahi, Stuart Patterson and Brendan Cooper finished third overall.
Steve Main, master in charge of canoeing, said he was delighted with the boys well-deserved achievements.
